FF vows to block law allowing top-up of minister's wage

Fianna Fáil has warned that it will block legislation aimed at topping up Mary Mitchell O'Connor's TD salary to reflect her new 'super-junior' minister role.The revelation that the law will have to be changed to allow for a €16,288-a-year allowance on top of the minister of State salary of €124,439 has provoked a storm of controversy. Thomas Byrne, Fianna Fáil's education spokesman, said the Government never consulted with his party over the appointment of an extra 'super-junior' minister to Cabinet and it came as a "considerable shock" to the party.

Whelan is one of three judicial appointments that will be made by President Michael D Higgins at 10.30am. Eileen Creedon and Charles Meehan will both be appointed to the High Court.

Whelan’s appointment has been sharply criticised by the Opposition, after it emerged she didn't apply for the role. The Cabinet approved her appointment this week, one day before Leo Varadkar took office as Taoiseach.

Anyone interested in a judicial vacancy is supposed to apply to the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board (JAAB) – of which Whelan as AG is a member – which in turn provides a list of candidates to Cabinet. It’s believed no one with the required level of experience, 12 years, applied.

New minister to fight for old age pension hike

Newly appointed Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty has given the first clear indication that she intends to fight for an increase in the old age pension during this year's budget negotiations."The crucial thing for me is that they can't get a part-time job on a Saturday. They get their weekly pension and that's it. The only people who can make their lives better is the State," the minister added.

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Fianna Fáil said the move breached its confidence and supply agreement with the minority government, and called on Whelan to not accept the role. Speaking on Morning Ireland, the party’s Justice Spokesperson Jim O’Callaghan accused the government of circumventing the law, saying there are “a number of procedural flaws”.

He said the government’s decision to “ram this application through today completely undermines” calls by independent ministers for a review into the process. He added that party leader Micheál Martin has raised his concerns with Varadkar.

Sinn Féin, Labour and others have also criticised the appointment.

Varadkar has previously defended the move, saying Whelan has “an outstanding legal mind” and is “highly qualified to serve on the Court of Appeal”.

Former AG Máire Whelan is formally appointed as judge on Court of Appeal despite ongoing controversy

Former attorney general Máire Whelan has been formally appointed a judge on the Court of Appeal despite ongoing controversy over the issue. President Michael D Higgins formally made the appointment at a ceremony in Áras an Uachtarain this morning.But political debate still continues over the appointment, with Fianna Fail arguing that the appointment broke the “no surprises” clause in the agreement with the Government.Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Fianna Fail's Jim O'Callaghan said that the Government "circumvented the law" in relation to the appointment.

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“The position of Attorney General is one of a handful which is mentioned in the Constitution. It affords Máire Whelan unique experience in terms of matters of the law. I am very pleased that nobody appears to be questioning her competence or her quality.

The issue which is attracting comment however is solely a matter of procedure. I am satisfied that the correct procedures were followed. Under Article 13.2 of the Constitution the Government and only the Government can appoint Judges.

“The Tánaiste recommended Máire Whelan to Cabinet as the stand-out person for the vacancy.

“I am committed to fully respecting the Confidence & Supply Agreement between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. I read the Agreement again this morning (Friday) and it does not require the Government to run public appointments by Fianna Fáil, nor could it. I am not at liberty discuss what transpired at Cabinet meetings, nor can any other Minister.”

Disgraced former TD Ivor Callely quizzed by gardai over 'harassment' .
Disgraced former TD Ivor Callely quizzed by gardai over 'harassment'It is understood his arrest relates to an allegation of harassment, which was made against the former Fianna Fail TD for Dublin North-Central.

The party’s spokesman on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Niall Collins said the situation surrounding her appointment as a judge of the Court of Appeal Fianna Fáil supports the Fine Gael-led minority government under a “confidence and supply arrangement” whereby it supports the Government in

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